Greenlanders

Greenlanders

Flag of Greenland
Greenlandic Inuit plucking a sea fowl.
Total population
c. 75,000
Regions with significant populations
Greenland	55,840[1]
Denmark	18,563[2]
United States	352[3]
Norway	293[4]
Faroe Islands	163[5]
Iceland	65[6]
Canada	55[7]
Netherlands	14[8]
Languages
Greenlandic, Danish, English
Religion
Christianity (Church of Greenland)

Greenlanders, also called Greenlandics or Greenlandic people,^[9] are the people of the Danish Realm of the autonomous territory of Greenland. As of 2024, Greenland's population stands at 55,840 and is in decline.^[1] Many Greenlanders are emigrating to other countries, particularly Denmark, where the population of native Greenlanders was around 18,563 as of 2018.^[2] Within Greenland, most residents live along the coastline, primarily in the central and southern regions, while the northern areas are less populated.

Greenlanders possess Danish nationality. The Danish Realm, including Greenland, joined the European Communities, the predecessor to the European Union, in 1973. However, after gaining home rule in 1979, Greenland held a referendum in 1982 in which the majority voted to leave the Communities. As a result, Greenland officially withdrew from the European Communities in 1985.^[10] Similarly, Greenland also withdrew from the European Economic Community in 1985 following its resignation from the European Communities. Although Greenland is no longer part of the European Union, it maintains a special relationship with the EU through its status as an Overseas Country and Territory. As Danish citizens, Greenlanders have the same rights to freedom of movement within the EU, allowing them to live and work freely in EU member states.

The American presence in Greenland introduced Sears catalogs, enabling Greenlanders and Danes to purchase modern appliances and other goods by mail.^[11] From 1948 to 1950, the Greenland Commission assessed the island's conditions, focusing on its isolation, unequal laws, and economic stagnation. This evaluation led to the abolition of the Royal Greenland Trading Department's monopolies. In 1953, Greenland's status shifted from a colony to an autonomous province within the Danish Realm. Greenland also gained its own Danish county and, despite its small population, was granted representation in the Danish Folketing (parliament).

Denmark implemented reforms to urbanize Greenlanders, aiming to reduce dependence on declining seal populations and to provide labor for expanding cod fisheries. These reforms also sought to improve healthcare, education, and transportation. However, they introduced challenges such as modern unemployment and poorly planned housing projects, notably Blok P. These European-style apartments proved impractical, with Inuit struggling to navigate narrow doors in winter clothing, and fire escapes often blocked by fishing equipment.^[12] Television broadcasts began in 1982, but economic hardships worsened after the collapse of cod fisheries and mines in the late 1980s and early 1990s, leaving Greenland reliant on Danish aid and shrimp exports.

State-owned enterprises remain central to the economy. Subsidized companies like Air Greenland and the Arctic Umiaq ferry are essential for connecting remote communities. The primary airport is still the former U.S. air base at Kangerlussuaq, as Nuuk's airport cannot accommodate international flights due to cost and noise limitations.

Greenland’s limited representation in the Folketing meant that despite 70.3% of its population opposing entry into the European Economic Community, it was included along with Denmark in 1973. Concerns about the customs union enabling foreign competition and overfishing of Greenlandic waters were soon validated, leading to a strong push for greater autonomy. The Folketing approved devolution in 1978, and home rule was established under a local Landsting the following year. On 23 February 1982, a slim majority (53%) of Greenlanders voted to withdraw from the EEC, a process finalized in 1985 with the Greenland Treaty.^[13]

Greenland's Home Rule has increasingly embraced Greenlandic identity, with a focus on Kalaallit language and culture, while distancing itself from Danish influence and regional dialects. In 1979, the capital, Godthåb, was renamed Nuuk. A local flag was introduced in 1985, and the Danish-owned KGH was replaced by the locally managed Kalaallit Niuerfiat, now known as KNI A/S, in 1986. Following a successful referendum on self-government in 2008, Greenland's parliament gained expanded powers, and in 2009, Danish was removed as an official language.

Greenland's international relations are mostly managed by its home rule government, though some matters remain under Danish oversight. As part of the agreement when Greenland exited the EEC, it was considered a "special case," retaining access to the European market through Denmark, which remains a member.^[13] Greenland is also involved in several regional organizations^[14] with Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Indigenous Inuit populations from Canada and Russia.^[15] It was a founding member of the Arctic Council in 1996, an environmental group. The presence of U.S. military bases, particularly the Pituffik Space Base, continues to be a contentious issue, with some politicians advocating for a renegotiation of the 1951 US–Denmark treaty. The 1999–2003 Commission on Self-Governance even proposed that Greenland should seek to have the base removed from U.S. control and placed under international management, possibly through the United Nations.^[16]

Greenland has an estimated population of 55,840.^[1] As of 2012, the total life expectancy was 71.25 years, with males having a life expectancy of 68.6 years and females with 74.04 years.

Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq is Greenland's most populous municipality, with 24,382 residents. It includes Nuuk, the capital and largest city of the territory. Avannaata Kommunia is the second most populous municipality, with 10,846 residents, primarily in Ilulissat, its largest city. Qeqqata Kommunia has a population of 9,204, centered around Sisimiut. Kommune Kujalleq follows with 6,145 residents, and Kommune Qeqertalik is the least populated municipality, with 6,058 inhabitants.

In 2021, Greenland’s population was 56,421,^[17] with 18,800 residents living in the capital, Nuuk. Most Greenlanders inhabit the fjord-lined southwestern coast, which enjoys a comparatively mild climate for its high latitude.^[18] While the majority of the population resides in colder coastal areas north of 64°N, the warmer regions, such as the vegetated surroundings of Narsarsuaq, remain sparsely populated.

The majority of Greenland's population identifies as Lutheran. Historically, the Moravian Brothers, a congregation with ties to Christiansfeld in South Jutland and partially of German origin, played a significant religious role. Despite their name, they were not ethnically Moravian (Czech).

Regarding demographics, an estimated 89.7% of the population is of Greenlandic multiethnic European-Inuit heritage, 7.8% is Danish, 1.1% other Nordic, and 1.4% from other backgrounds. The multiethnic European-Inuit population includes those with Danish, Norwegian, Faroese, Icelandic, Dutch (whaler), German, and American ancestry.^[19]

Greenland's population has been rapidly declining since 2019,^[1] primarily due to emigration. This trend is driven by limited educational opportunities within Greenland, prompting citizens to seek better job prospects, improved healthcare, and relief from the harsh Arctic climate. Many young people move to Denmark for education and career advancement, contributing significantly to this population decrease.

A 2015 comprehensive genetic study of Greenlanders revealed that modern-day Inuit in Greenland are direct descendants of the Thule culture pioneers who settled in the region during the 13th century. The study also showed approximately 25% European admixture, stemming from colonizers who arrived in the 16th century. Contrary to earlier theories, no genetic evidence of Viking settlers has been identified among Greenland's population.^[20]

Significant minority groups[22]
Nationality	Population (2020)
Philippines	373
Thailand	208
Iceland	128
Sweden	74
Denmark (migrant workers, mainly businessmen)	64
China	61
Norway	53
Germany	50
United States	47
Poland	39
Canada	20

Greenland's population is primarily composed of Greenlandic Inuit, including individuals of mixed heritage, as well as Danish Greenlanders and other Europeans and North Americans. As of a 2009 estimate, the Inuit population constituted approximately 85–90% of the total. There are 6,792 Danish residents in Greenland, accounting for 12% of the population. In recent years, the territory has seen notable immigration from Asia, particularly from the Philippines, Thailand, and China.

Greenlandic, specifically West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut, is spoken by nearly 50,000 people and became the sole official language of Greenland in 2009.^[23] The majority of the population speaks both Danish and West Greenlandic Kalaallisut, the most popular being the Eskaleut language, with both languages having been used in public affairs since the introduction of home rule in 1979. Despite Greenlandic's official status, Danish remains widely used in administration, education, skilled trades, and other professions. The orthography of Greenlandic, initially established in 1851,^[24] was revised in 1973. Greenland has a literacy rate of 100%.^[25]

Approximately 12% of Greenland’s population speaks Danish as a first or sole language, primarily comprising Danish immigrants. For many, Danish remains the dominant language, particularly in Nuuk and other larger towns. Historically, Danish served as a second language for most multiethnic Inuit ancestors, although Greenlandic was more dominant in smaller settlements. In larger towns, especially Nuuk, Danish speakers have held significant social influence.

Debate continues over the evolving roles of Greenlandic and Danish in Greenland’s future. While Greenlandic holds official status and is widely spoken, Danish remains critical for administration and business. English, increasingly important in Greenland, is now taught starting from the first year of school.^[26]

West Greenland has historically been the most populous region of the island and the center of its de facto official language, Greenlandic. However, linguistic diversity persists in other regions. Approximately 3,000 people speak East Greenlandic, referred to as Tunumiisut, and nearly 1,000 residents around Qaanaaq in the north speak Inuktun. Notably, Inuktun shares closer similarities with the Inuit languages of Canada than with other Greenlandic dialects.^[27]

These regional varieties of Greenlandic are largely unintelligible to each other, with some linguists even classifying Tunumiisut as a separate language.^[28] A UNESCO report has labeled these other varieties as endangered, prompting efforts to preserve and protect the East Greenlandic dialect in particular.^[29]

Education in Greenland closely follows the Danish system and is free and compulsory for children aged 7 to 16. The primary language of instruction is Greenlandic, with Danish introduced as a second language in primary school. The education system aims to foster cultural and linguistic unity through a bilingual model, integrating Greenlandic and Danish-speaking students.

The public school system, managed by municipalities, encompasses approximately 100 schools. It focuses on teaching Greenlandic from kindergarten through high school, while also providing vocational and technical education during secondary school. For higher education, the University of Greenland in Nuuk provides local academic opportunities, while vocational training institutions are also available. Students who wish to study in Denmark have equal admission rights and access to scholarships, provided they meet residency requirements.

Since 1994, reforms in bilingual education have generated positive results, ensuring students gain proficiency in both Greenlandic and Danish and promoting equal access to education across linguistic groups.

The traditional religion of the nomadic Inuit was shamanistic, centered around appeasing a vengeful and fingerless sea goddess known as Sedna, who was believed to control the success of seal and whale hunts.^[30]

The first Norse settlers in Greenland worshipped the Norse pantheon, but a major shift occurred when Leif Erikson, the son of Erik the Red, converted to Christianity during a visit to Norway in 999 under the influence of King Olaf Tryggvason. Leif returned to Greenland with missionaries who quickly established a Christian presence, including sixteen parishes, monasteries, and a bishopric at Garðar.

The rediscovery of Greenland's Norse settlements and the spread of Protestant Reformation ideas were key motivations behind Denmark's recolonization of Greenland in the 18th century. Under the direction of the Royal Mission College in Copenhagen, Norwegian and Danish Lutherans, as well as German Moravian missionaries, undertook expeditions to locate the long-lost Norse settlements. However, they found no surviving Norse inhabitants and instead focused their efforts on converting the Inuit population to Christianity.

Significant figures in Greenland's Christianization included Hans Egede, his son Poul Egede, and German missionary Matthias Stach. Hans Egede established the first permanent Danish-Norwegian mission on Kangeq Island in 1721, where efforts to translate religious texts began. The New Testament was translated into Greenlandic in parts over many years, but the full Bible was not translated until 1900. A modern translation of the Bible, reflecting contemporary Greenlandic orthography, was completed in 2000.^{[31][better source needed]}

The predominant religion in Greenland is Protestant Christianity, primarily represented by the Church of Denmark, which follows Lutheran teachings. Although there are no official census records on religious affiliation in Greenland, the Bishop of Greenland, Sofie Petersen,^[32] estimates that approximately 85% of the population are members of the Church of Denmark.^[33] As part of the Danish Realm, the Church of Denmark holds the status of the established church under the Danish Constitution, which extends to Greenland.^[34]

In Greenland, the Roman Catholic minority is pastorally served by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Copenhagen, which oversees Catholic activities across the Danish Realm, including Greenland. While Catholics form a small portion of the population, their presence is supported through limited church infrastructure and pastoral care.

Christian missionaries are still active in Greenland, though they predominantly belong to charismatic movements. Their focus is generally on proselytizing to fellow Christians rather than engaging in widespread efforts to convert non-believers. These movements aim to reinvigorate faith among Greenland's Christian communities.^[35]

Greenland faces significant social challenges, including high suicide rates, which have led to the country being reported as having the highest suicide rate in the world according to a 2010 census.^[36][37] These mental health issues are often linked to a combination of cultural, environmental, and socio-economic factors, including the impacts of isolation and limited access to mental health services.

Alcoholism is another prominent issue in Greenland,^[38] with consumption rates peaking in the 1980s at twice the level in Denmark. Although alcohol consumption has slightly decreased by 2010, it remains a major social concern due to its high cost and the negative effects it has on communities. The high prices of alcohol in Greenland make it an expensive habit, and the associated social problems, including addiction, domestic violence, and health issues, have a considerable impact on society.^[39][40]

HIV/AIDS prevalence was once high in Greenland, peaking in the 1990s, but it has since decreased significantly due to effective public health initiatives and treatments. As of recent years, the prevalence rate has dropped to around c. 0.13%,^[41][42] which is lower than in many other countries.

Unemployment in Greenland remains higher than in Denmark,^[43] with rates around 6.8% in 2017,^[44] compared to Denmark’s 5.6%.^[45]

The practice of forced sterilization and the widespread use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) on Greenlandic Inuit women and girls during the 1960s and 1970s is a dark chapter in the history of Denmark and Greenland. As part of a population control policy, roughly half of all fertile Greenlandic Inuit women and girls were fitted with IUDs, including children as young as 12. These procedures were often carried out without consent or knowledge from the girls' parents, and in some cases, girls were taken directly from school to have the devices inserted. This practice was even extended to Inuit girls sent to boarding schools in Denmark.

This issue came to realization decades later, and in 2022, the Danish Health Minister, Magnus Heunicke, confirmed that an official investigation would take place to uncover the decisions and actions that led to the forced procedures.^[46] Additionally, it was found that after Greenland gained control of its healthcare system in 1991, Greenlandic doctors continued the practice on some Inuit women, despite the legal and ethical concerns.^[47]

Greenlandic culture is a unique fusion of traditional Inuit (Kalaallit, Tunumiit, and Inughuit) traditions and Scandinavian influences, reflecting the island's history and geography. Inuit culture, particularly that of the Kalaallit, has a rich artistic heritage dating back thousands of years. One notable art form is the creation of tupilak, or "spirit objects," which are intricately carved figures often imbued with symbolic or spiritual significance. Originally, tupilaks were used in shamanic rituals, but today, they are primarily made as art pieces.

Traditional art-making practices, including carving, thrive in regions like Ammassalik,^[48] where local artists often work with materials like wood, stone, and bone. Sperm whale ivory remain especially valued mediums for carving.^[49]

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Greenland has a successful, though small, music culture. Notable Greenlandic bands and artists include Sumé, Chilly Friday, Nanook, Siissisoq, Nuuk Posse, and Rasmus Lyberth, who competed in the Danish national final for the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, singing in Greenlandic. Singer-songwriter Simon Lynge is the first Greenlandic artist to release an album across the United Kingdom and perform at the Glastonbury Festival.

The drum, or qilaat, is the traditional Greenlandic instrument, crafted from driftwood or walrus ribs and covered with polar bear or walrus stomach or bladder. Unlike typical drumming, the drum is played from underneath the frame with a stick. Traditional drum dances involved simple melodies and served dual purposes: dispelling fear during long, dark winters and resolving disputes. In the latter case, individuals would take turns drumming and singing to ridicule each other, with the audience’s laughter determining the winner.

Shamans also used the drum in rituals to conjure spirits. However, after missionaries arrived in the 18th century, drum dances were banned as pagan practices. They were replaced by polyphonic choral singing, known for its distinctive sound, blending German hymns, influenced by the Herrnhuter Brüdergemeinde, with secular songs. Whalers from Scandinavia, Germany, and Scotland introduced instruments like the fiddle and accordion, as well as dances such as the polka, or kalattuut, which is now performed with intricate steps.

Sports play a significant role in Greenlandic culture, with the population maintaining an active lifestyle.^[50] Popular sports include association football, track and field, handball, and skiing. Handball, often regarded as the national sport,^[51] saw the men's national team rank among the top 20 globally in 2001.

Greenland's natural environment offers ideal conditions for activities like skiing, fishing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and rock climbing. However, hiking and mountain climbing are more commonly enjoyed by the general population. While Greenland's landscape is not well-suited for golf, Nuuk is home to a golf course.

In 2002, Nuuk hosted the Arctic Winter Games in conjunction with Iqaluit, Nunavut.^[52]

The national dish of Greenland is suaasat, a traditional soup prepared with seal meat. The Greenlandic diet heavily relies on meat from marine mammals, game, birds, and fish, as the glacial landscape limits agricultural options. Most ingredients are sourced from the ocean,^[53] and seasoning is typically limited to salt and pepper.^[54]

Greenlandic coffee is a notable dessert beverage, distinct for being "flaming" as it is set alight before serving. Made with coffee, whiskey, Kahlúa, Grand Marnier, and topped with whipped cream, it is stronger than the more widely known Irish coffee.^[55]

Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR) is Greenland's public broadcasting company and an associate member of both Eurovision and the Nordvision network. Employing nearly 100 people, KNR is among the largest organizations in the territory.^[56] Nuuk also has its own radio and television station, including Nanoq Media, a local television channel established on August 1, 2002. Nanoq Media is the largest local station in Greenland, reaching over 4,000 households, approximately 75% of all households in Nuuk.^[57]

Greenland has two nationally distributed newspapers. Sermitsiaq, a weekly publication named after the nearby Sermitsiaq mountain, is released every Friday, with its online edition updated multiple times daily. Initially distributed only in Nuuk, it expanded nationwide in the 1980s. Atuagagdliutit/Grønlandsposten (AG) is a bi-weekly newspaper, published in Greenlandic as Atuagagdliutit and in Danish as Grønlandsposten, with all articles appearing in both languages. It is released every Tuesday and Thursday.

The Inuit of Greenland have a rich tradition of arts and crafts, including the carving of tupilaks, small sculptures representing avenging spirits or mythical beings.^[58] The term "tupilak," from Greenlandic, translates to the soul or spirit of a deceased person. These carvings, often no more than 20 centimetres (8 in) tall, are traditionally made from walrus ivory and feature grotesque or imaginative designs. Once linked to shamanic practices, tupilaks are now primarily sought after as collectible items. Modern Greenlandic artisans continue to work with native materials such as musk ox wool, seal fur, soapstone, reindeer antlers, and gemstones.

Greenlandic painting began in the mid-19th century with Aron von Kangeq, whose watercolors and drawings illustrated traditional sagas and myths. In the 20th century, landscape and animal painting emerged alongside printmaking and book illustration. Artists like Kiistat Lund and Buuti Pedersen gained international recognition for their expressive landscapes, while Anne-Birthe Hove explored themes of Greenlandic social life. Nuuk hosts a museum of fine arts, the Nuuk Art Museum, which showcases these and other works.

Greenland is the largest non-continental island^[59] in the world and the third-largest area in North America, following Canada and the United States.^[60] It lies between latitudes 59° and 83°N and longitudes 11° and 74°W. The island is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Greenland Sea to the east, the North Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, Davis Strait to the southwest, Baffin Bay to the west, and the Nares Strait and Lincoln Sea to the northwest.

Greenland shares a maritime border with Canada to the west and southwest, across Nares Strait and Baffin Bay, and has a shared land border on Hans Island.^[61] Iceland is its nearest neighbor to the southeast, across the Atlantic Ocean. The island is home to the world's largest national park and is the largest constituent country globally by area. It is also the fourth-largest country subdivision worldwide, following Russia's Sakha Republic, Australia's Western Australia, and Russia's Krasnoyarsk Krai, and is the largest in North America.

Greenland holds the record for the coldest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere at −69.6 °C (−93.3 °F) in 1991.^[62] Its massive ice sheet covers 81% of its 2,850,000 km³ (680,000 cu mi) of area^[63] and, if fully melted, would raise global sea levels by over 7 meters.^[64] Reforms since 1994 aim to address climate change, as Greenland's ice sheet is melting at an unprecedented rate, contributing significantly to sea level rise.^[65] Geological features include some of the world's oldest rocks and a rich fossil record.^[66]

The majority of Greenland's population resides in the ice-free coastal areas, where vegetation is more plentiful. Most Greenlanders live in the central or southern parts of the island, as these regions have a more favorable climate compared to the northern areas, which are less densely populated. Nuuk, the capital, is home to approximately 35% of Greenland's population.^{[citation needed]}